Rebuilding Agriculture and Food Security in Iraq

United States Department of Agriculture
Foreign Agricultural Service

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For most of its history, Iraq has maintained a strong agricultural heritage. Unfortunately, during the previous regime, investments and resources were diverted away from farming and food production. Rebuilding Iraq's agricultural infrastructure is now a major priority.

FAS is working in close partnership with other agencies in the U.S. government to assure the food security of the people of Iraq right now and for the future.

In 2006, FAS placed its first agricultural advisors on provincial reconstruction teams (PRTs) in Iraq.

The FAS personnel on PRTs work actively with other U.S. agencies, the U.S. military, aid organizations and the Iraqi government to help Iraq harness its economic potential to recreate jobs and other opportunities for its people. FAS is working to support Iraq's agricultural sector by assessing needs, sharing technical expertise, and developing projects.

Video: Once in a Lifetime -- USDA Agricultural Advisors in Iraq (02/13/09)
— Transcript (.pdf)

U.S. Working To Rebuild Iraq's Agriculture
— Detail Assignments in Iraq for USDA Employees
— Detail Assignments in Iraq for qualified individuals outside USDA
— Fact Sheet (April 2009)
— Iraq Agriculture and Irrigation Overview (July 2008; .pdf)

Latest news about the PRTs in Iraq

News About Iraqi Agricultural Reconstruction
- Fred Woehl’s on the farm in e-i-e-Iraq (Harrison Daily Times, Harrison, Arkansas, 06/01/09)
- Efforts Continue To Boost Iraq's Agriculture (USDA Radio News; 12/04/08 - wma, real, mp3)
- U.S. Ag Exports to Iraq Have Grown Rapidly (USDA Radio News; 12/04/08 - wma, real, mp3)
- U.S.–Iraq Agricultural Extension Revitalization Project (Fact Sheet; April 2009)
- Iraq: New Remote Sensing Processes Help Predict the Agricultural Outlook in Countries Where the Food Supply Is a Key Political Issue (10/24/08)
- Expert Help Being Given To Strengthen Iraqi Agriculture (USDA Radio News; 10/21/08 - real, mp3, wave)
- USDA Advisors Help Rebuild Iraqi Irrigation
  (USDA Video; 09/24/08)
- USDA Advisors Help Iraqi Farmers (USDA Video: 09/08/08)
- Capacity Building in Iraq (USDA Radio News; 09/04/08 - real, mp3, wave)
- Helping Iraqi Poultry Producers (USDA Video; 08/25/08)
- Challenges of Rebuilding Iraqi Agriculture (USDA Video)
- Iraqi Farmers Begin to Chart Own Destinies (08/19/08)
Archived News About Iraqi Agricultural Reconstruction (2003–Present)
Recent USDA Reports
- IRAQ: Drought & Irrigation Shortages Decimate Wheat Harvest in 2009/10 (05/12/09)
- FAS: Iraq Agriculture and Irrigation Overview (July 2008; .pdf)
- FAS: U.S. Trade Reports
- FAS: Iraq: Current Remote Imaging for Weather and Crop Data
- FSIS: Export Requirements for Iraq
Trade How-To's for U.S. Exporters
- Trade.gov: Iraq
  - Market Information (overview)
  - Business Opportunities
  - Primer on Exporting U.S. Goods to Iraq (June 2007)
  - U.S. Government Procurement and Contracts
  - Quick Start Contracting Guide (2007; in English and Arabic)
  - Active Tenders
  - Events
  - Useful Links
  - Register for Iraq Reconstruction Alert (emails)
- BuyUSA.gov: Iraq
  - Find a Business Provider
  - Services for U.S. Companies
- Baghdad Business Center
- Export–Import Bank: Iraq
- Iraq Project and Contracting Office (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; procurement oversight)
- Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction
- Summary of U.S. Export Controls on Iraq (U.S. Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security)
- U.S. Department of State: Iraq Travel Information
- U.S. Department of Treasury, Office of Foreign Asset Control
  - Iraq Sanctions
Country Analysis
- U.S. Census Bureau Foreign Trade Statistics:
  - U.S. Exports to Iraq (2003–2007)
  - U.S. Trade (Imports, Exports and Trade Balance) with Iraq (1992–Present)
- CIA Fact Book: Iraq
- FAO: General Information about Iraq
- U.S. Department of Energy/Energy Information Administration
  - Iraq Country Analysis Brief
- Library of Congress
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
  - Unique Imagery for Iraq (2003–2004)
  - Iraq Weather Maps
- National Technical Information Service Products (search)
Background on Foreign Policy With Iraq
- White House (Renewal in Iraq)
  - Fact Sheet: The Way Forward in Iraq (04/10/08)
  - Fact Sheet: Achieving Political and Economic Progress in Iraq (03/27/08)
  - Fact Sheet: U.S.-Iraq Declaration of Principles for Friendship and Cooperation (11/26/07)
  - Benchmark Assessment Report on Iraq (09/14/07)
  - National Strategy for Victory in Iraq (11/30/05)
- Coalition Provisional Authority (Archived)
- U.S. Department of State: Iraq
  - Background Note
  - Consular Information Sheet
  - U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq
  - Fact Sheets
  - Human Rights Practices (2005; issued 03/08/06)
  - Iraq Update (International Information Service)
    - Iraq Update Archive
  - Iraq Weekly Status Report
  - Rebuilding Iraq: U.S. Achievements Through the Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund (February 2006)
  - Reconstruction Contracts (U.S. Government)
  - Section 2207 Report on Iraq Relief and Reconstruction (quarterly)
  - Broadcast Services Archive: Rebuilding Iraq
- United Nations News Focus: Iraq
Partners in Humanitarian Assistance
- U.S. Agency for International Development: Assistance for Iraq (USAID)
- International Advisory and Monitoring Board for the Development Fund for Iraq
- International Monetary Fund
- International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq (Joint United Nations and World Bank)
  - Joint Iraq Needs Assessment (October 2003)
- World Food Program (WFP)
Archive: U.S. Humanitarian Assistance for the People of Iraq (Last updated July 2003)

Contact USDA About Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs)

See U.S. Working in Iraq—Agricultural Projects

See Detail Assignments in Iraq and Afghanistan for USDA Employees

See Rebuilding Agriculture and Food Security in Afghanistan

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